David Smith

[Richard Thursby]

Before the start of the Middlesex vs Essex match in the SCCU U1850 this afternoon, a minute's silence was held for David Smith, a stalwart of Essex and SCCU chess.

Obituary on Essex website here https://www.essexchess.org.uk/david-smith-r-i-p/

[Christopher Kreuzer]

That is sad to hear, thanks for posting the news.

I had memories of playing some games against him, and it turns out I had played him three times over the years in the London League (two draws in the 2002/3 and 2003/4 seasons, and then a win in the 2007/8 season).

The background with Nationwide is interesting - had not been aware of that previously.

[John Moore]

Sad news. I think that I only played David 4 times in standard play and once in Rapidplay. The first of those games was as long ago as 1972 in a match between Rayleigh (now defunct) and Southend where I blundered my Queen. The last was in the Over 65s at Torquay in 2022 where I managed to win.

Always a pleasant opponent and good company after the game.

[Ronnie Burton]

Very sad news. Played David at Paignton when the venue was the Oldway Mansion

[Brendan O'Gorman]

Sad. Lovely chap. Here he is playing in the British Seniors 65+ in Torquay in 2022.

David Smith 2022.jpg (264.44 KiB) Viewed 500 times

[Jonathan Rogers]

A rather late note of condolences from me as well. I remember David as part of the dedicated organisational structure of Essex chess for a long time (certainly during "my" time as a player in 1990s and 2000s, and no doubt others would say longer than that). The organisation really was outstanding - virtually every year at least one Essex team (and it could be at any grading level, from under 100 to the Open) made it to one or other of the national finals. And I myself did especially well at Wanstead House, both in terms of results and in tea and biscuits served by Jane.

I did not know, but am not surprised, that David wanted more to be done for juniors at Wanstead chess club and so it is fitting that today their club champion is a junior (Ashwin GopiKrishna).

RIP David.